SUZUKI RIDER ELLIS COMFORTABLE HEADING INTO READING
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/c_ellis_814944.jpg" alt="c_ellis_814944" align="left"borders="0"/>
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 12, 2008) – After clinching a spot in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Countdown to 1 playoff format with a semifinal finish in Brainerd (Minn.) last weekend, Schumacher Electric Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Chip Ellis is comfortable with his team's performance entering this weekend's 24th annual NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. Ellis goes into the 11th race of the season for PSM No. 3 in the points aboard the quickest, fastest and most consistent Suzuki in the class this year.
Ellis has enjoyed a resurgent year in 2008. After losing his previous pro ride at the end of 2007, he joined Don Schumacher Racing during the off-season and paired up with crew chief Steve Tartaglia, who has tuned the Florida native to one win, two final rounds, one quarterfinal and five semifinal finishes. Ellis has also qualified in the top half of the 16-bike field at each of the first 11 races for the class, including five times at No. 2. He's also qualified for 60 consecutive races entering the Reading event and has never failed to qualify for an NHRA race in PSM since his first start at the U.S. Nationals in 2004.
"I feel great and I'm ready to rock," said Ellis, who is seeking his first win at Maple Grove Raceway. "Maple Grove is a beautiful facility and the only bad thing is that the shut down area is a little bumpy but, other than that, the track is usually fast and they have good air which creates great racing conditions. I can't wait to get there. I just need to go out there and perform like I know how to do on Sunday.
"The points really don't matter right now because it's all going to change when the Countdown to 1 begins following the U.S. Nationals. We're just going to try and keep marching on and winning rounds and try to put this Schumacher Electric Suzuki in the winner's circle."
CHIP ELLIS QUICK FACTS:
* Third in the point standings after 10 of 17 events (one victory in two final rounds, five semifinal, one quarterfinal, and two first-round finishes)
* Clinched spot in the Countdown to 1 at last race in Brainerd, Minn.
* Qualified No. 2 at last season's event in Reading, lost first round
* Has won six races in nine career final-round appearances
* Career round win/loss record is 85-54
* 2008 is first season with Don Schumacher Racing
* Recorded second 6.8-second run (6.892) in Memphis in 2007
* Finished career-best third in the points last season, just eight points shy of wining the championship
* Went down to the final round at the final race to decide the 2007 championship
* Qualified for all 60 NHRA races he has competed in Pro Stock Motorcycle since 2004
* A graduate of the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School at Gainesville Raceway
* Had two runner-up finishes and five No. 1 qualifiers in 2007
* Qualified No. 1 12 times
* Won first national event at Las Vegas 2 during his rookie season in 2004
* Qualified No. 1 in his NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle debut at the 2004 U.S. Nationals
* Ran an abbreviated 2004 rookie season with a No. 1 qualifier at U.S. Nationals, No. 4 at Reading, No. 2 and event win at Las Vegas, and No. 1 qualifier and semi-final appearance at Pomona
* Born in Daytona Beach, Fla., on 2/20/70
* Lives in Brownsburg, Ind., with wife Kathy and daughter McKenzie (10/23/01)
* AMA/ProStar Formula Super Bike champion in 2003
* AMA/ProStar Funny Bike champion in 2002
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/c_ellis_814944.jpg" alt="c_ellis_814944" align="left"borders="0"/>
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 12, 2008) – After clinching a spot in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Countdown to 1 playoff format with a semifinal finish in Brainerd (Minn.) last weekend, Schumacher Electric Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Chip Ellis is comfortable with his team's performance entering this weekend's 24th annual NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. Ellis goes into the 11th race of the season for PSM No. 3 in the points aboard the quickest, fastest and most consistent Suzuki in the class this year.
Ellis has enjoyed a resurgent year in 2008. After losing his previous pro ride at the end of 2007, he joined Don Schumacher Racing during the off-season and paired up with crew chief Steve Tartaglia, who has tuned the Florida native to one win, two final rounds, one quarterfinal and five semifinal finishes. Ellis has also qualified in the top half of the 16-bike field at each of the first 11 races for the class, including five times at No. 2. He's also qualified for 60 consecutive races entering the Reading event and has never failed to qualify for an NHRA race in PSM since his first start at the U.S. Nationals in 2004.
"I feel great and I'm ready to rock," said Ellis, who is seeking his first win at Maple Grove Raceway. "Maple Grove is a beautiful facility and the only bad thing is that the shut down area is a little bumpy but, other than that, the track is usually fast and they have good air which creates great racing conditions. I can't wait to get there. I just need to go out there and perform like I know how to do on Sunday.
"The points really don't matter right now because it's all going to change when the Countdown to 1 begins following the U.S. Nationals. We're just going to try and keep marching on and winning rounds and try to put this Schumacher Electric Suzuki in the winner's circle."
CHIP ELLIS QUICK FACTS:
* Third in the point standings after 10 of 17 events (one victory in two final rounds, five semifinal, one quarterfinal, and two first-round finishes)
* Clinched spot in the Countdown to 1 at last race in Brainerd, Minn.
* Qualified No. 2 at last season's event in Reading, lost first round
* Has won six races in nine career final-round appearances
* Career round win/loss record is 85-54
* 2008 is first season with Don Schumacher Racing
* Recorded second 6.8-second run (6.892) in Memphis in 2007
* Finished career-best third in the points last season, just eight points shy of wining the championship
* Went down to the final round at the final race to decide the 2007 championship
* Qualified for all 60 NHRA races he has competed in Pro Stock Motorcycle since 2004
* A graduate of the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School at Gainesville Raceway
* Had two runner-up finishes and five No. 1 qualifiers in 2007
* Qualified No. 1 12 times
* Won first national event at Las Vegas 2 during his rookie season in 2004
* Qualified No. 1 in his NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle debut at the 2004 U.S. Nationals
* Ran an abbreviated 2004 rookie season with a No. 1 qualifier at U.S. Nationals, No. 4 at Reading, No. 2 and event win at Las Vegas, and No. 1 qualifier and semi-final appearance at Pomona
* Born in Daytona Beach, Fla., on 2/20/70
* Lives in Brownsburg, Ind., with wife Kathy and daughter McKenzie (10/23/01)
* AMA/ProStar Formula Super Bike champion in 2003
* AMA/ProStar Funny Bike champion in 2002
